Idenix lays off staffers in restructuring; Ventrus shares boosted by trial results; New transparency rule for clinical trials;

@FierceBiotech: ICYMI yesterday: Is there a major R&D overhaul coming at Merck, or just more streamlining? Article | Follow @FierceBiotech

@JohnCFierce: ICYMI: FDA experts endorse new COPD blockbuster from GlaxoSmithKline, Theravance. Story | Follow @JohnCFierce

@EmilyMFierce: This week's issue of FierceBiotech Research: Parkinson's research gets boost; Drug combo tackles coronavirus. Check it out | Follow @EmilyMFierce

@Ry_McBride: Civitas scoops up $38M B round for inhaled Parkinsons drug. News | Follow @Ry_McBride

> Cambridge, MA-based Idenix Pharmaceuticals ($IDIX) laid off 15 staffers in a cost-cutting move. The biotech says more cuts are being studied. The biotech has experienced repeated setbacks in its quest to develop new hepatitis C therapies. Story

> Shares of Ventrus Biosciences ($VTUS) shot up 34% on positive data from its second study on a new therapy--VEN 307--for anal fissures. Release

> Any drug developer looking for a favorable ethical ruling from the UK's Health Research Authority will have to register their drug studies before they begin dosing. The requirement is part of the transparency movement under way in Europe. Story

> Oxford BioMedica has won funding under the UK's Advanced Manufacturing Supply Chain Initiative. Story

Medical Device News

@FierceMedDev: Popular yesterday: Intuitive's surgical robots slammed in another study. Article | Follow @FierceMedDev

@DamianFierce: Dako got an FDA warning letter at the plant where it makes its Herceptin companion diagnostic. News | Follow @DamianFierce

@MarkHFierce: Baxter snatched up a tiny startup after closing a nearly $4B deal for Gambro. ICYMI yesterday | Follow @MarkHFierce

> Quest, LabCorp defrauded Medicaid, lawsuit says. News

> Spider silk + carbon nanotubes = next-gen med device part. Item

> KKR might want some help buying Panasonic's $1.5B health biz. Story

Pharma News

@FiercePharma: Italy's Recordati set to buy Spain's Laboratorios Casen Fleet for $122.4M. ICYMI yesterday | Follow @FiercePharma

@EricPFierce: KKR looks to buy stake in Gland Pharma as emotions are running high in India over loss of domestic cos. Report | Follow @EricPFierce

@CarlyHFierce: On why silence from Vivus is not golden. More via Seeking Alpha | Follow @CarlyHFierce

> GlaxoSmithKline whiplashed with bad news, good news for respiratory franchise. Article

> South Africa writes IP policy making it harder to get drug patents. Story

> FDA ratchets up requirements on long-acting, extended-release opioids. Article

Drug Delivery News

@MichaelGFierce: Nanodiamonds deliver brain cancer drugs safely, UCLA team shows. Report | Follow @MichaelGFierce

> Activaero, Chiesi team up for cystic fibrosis drug-device research. News

> Low-cost microspheres take short-lived cancer drugs to brain. Article

> Oramed wins Chinese patent for oral core technology. Item

> CeQur closes $27M round to fund insulin delivery device. Story

Diagnostics News

> Nuclea snatches up Wilex AG Dx subsidiary. Story

> T2 jumps into pivotal trial for Candida assay. News

> NanoString gains FDA blessing for in vitro breast cancer assay. Report

> FDA cites Dx maker Dako for quality system violations. Article

> Study: Abbott blood test spots more female heart attack risks. Item